Online English Vocabulary Flashcards for Persuasion and Negotiation Words

appeal (verb) /əˈpiːl/
Definition: To make a formal or informal request for a particular decision or outcome, often in a persuasive manner.
Example Sentence: "The lawyer will appeal the court's decision on behalf of his client."
Synonyms: beg; beseech; call; entreat; implore; invoke
Opposite Meaning: ignore

arbitrate (verb) /ˈɑːbɪtreɪt/
Definition: To act as an impartial judge in a dispute, making a binding decision to resolve the dispute.
Example Sentence: "They agreed to bring in a neutral third party to arbitrate their disagreement."
Synonyms: adjudge; adjudicate; consider; decide; determine; judge
Opposite Meaning: aggravate

bargain (noun) /ˈbɑr gən/
Definition: A mutually beneficial agreement or deal reached between two or more parties.
Example Sentence: "The local farmers' market is a fantastic place to get fresh produce at bargain prices."
Synonyms: agreement; arrangement; contract; deal; discount; negotiation
Opposite Meaning: rip-off

beseech (verb) /bɪˈsitʃ/
Definition: To implore or beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something or give something.
Example Sentence: "The protesters beseech the mayor to address their concerns."
Synonyms: appeal; ask; conjure; entreat; importune; petition
Opposite Meaning: spurn

cajole (verb) /kəˈdʒəʊl/
Definition: To persuade or coax someone gently or flatteringly, often in order to get them to do something they are unwilling or reluctant to do.
Example Sentence: "She tried to cajole her friend into going to the party with her."
Synonyms: cajolery; charm; convince; entice; flatter; inveigle
Opposite Meaning: repel

coax (verb) /koʊks/
Definition: To gently and persistently persuade, encourage, or entice someone to do something, often by using kind words, gestures, or actions.
Example Sentence: "The children try to coax their father into telling them a bedtime story."
Synonyms: allure; cajole; charm; encourage; entice; induce
Opposite Meaning: repel

compel (verb) /kəmˈpɛl/
Definition: To force or obligate someone to do something, often through the use of pressure, authority, or persuasion.
Example Sentence: "The thought of losing his job may compel him to work harder."
Synonyms: bulldoze; coerce; demand; dragoon; enforce; exact
Opposite Meaning: dissuade

compromise (noun) /ˈkɒmprəmʌɪz/
Definition: The act of coming to an agreement by making concessions.
Example Sentence: "A willingness to compromise is a key component of effective teamwork."
Synonyms: accord; adjustment; agreement; arrangement; bargain; concession
Opposite Meaning: disagreement

convince (verb) /kənvɪns/
Definition: To persuade or cause someone to believe or agree with a particular idea, opinion, or course of action.
Example Sentence: "He tried to convince his parents to let him go on the trip with his friends."
Synonyms: cajole; coax; compel; encourage; entice; induce
Opposite Meaning: dissuade

detente (noun) /deɪˈtɑnt/
Definition: A relaxation of tensions or hostilities between nations, especially in the context of international relations.
Example Sentence: "The two countries entered a period of détente after years of conflict."
Synonyms: amelioration; appeasement; calming; conciliation; easing; harmony
Opposite Meaning: hostility

diplomatic (adjective) /ˌdɪpləˈmatɪk/
Definition: Tactful, skillful, and able to deal with sensitive or difficult situations in a way that avoids conflicts or maintains relationships.
Example Sentence: "She was known for her diplomatic language when dealing with sensitive issues."
Synonyms: conciliatory; considerate; deferential; delicate; discreet; politic
Opposite Meaning: insensitive

dissuade (verb) /dɪˈsweɪd/
Definition: To discourage or to advise someone against doing something, usually through persuasion or argument.
Example Sentence: "His parents attempted to dissuade him from dropping out of college."
Synonyms: caution; derail; deter; disincline; divert; hinder
Opposite Meaning: encourage

elicit (verb) /ɪˈlɪsɪt/
Definition: To draw out or evoke a response or reaction from someone or something.
Example Sentence: "The lawyer's questioning was designed to elicit a confession from the suspect."
Synonyms: cause; derive; educe; exact; extort; extract
Opposite Meaning: suppress

entice (verb) /ɪnˈtʌɪs/
Definition: To attract or tempt someone to do something, usually by offering something appealing or desirable.
Example Sentence: "They aim to entice investors with the promise of high returns."
Synonyms: allure; beguile; cajole; coax; draw; induce
Opposite Meaning: repel

entreat (verb) /ɪnˈtriːt/
Definition: To earnestly request or beg someone to do something, often in a pleading or beseeching manner.
Example Sentence: "We entreat the judge to review the evidence once more."
Synonyms: adjure; appeal; besought; conjure; implore; importune
Opposite Meaning: demand

exhortation (noun) /ˌɛg zɔrˈteɪ ʃən/
Definition: A passionate or earnest address, speech, or appeal aimed at encouraging, urging, or advising someone to take specific actions or adopt a particular mindset.
Example Sentence: "The coach delivered a powerful exhortation to the team before the championship game."
Synonyms: admonition; appeal; call; encouragement; entreaty; incitement
Opposite Meaning: discouragement

goad (verb) /ɡəʊd/
Definition: To provoke or urge someone to take action, typically by using persistent or aggressive pressure.
Example Sentence: "The coach continued to goad his team, urging them to play with all their might."
Synonyms: annoy; drive; harass; incite; irritate; lash
Opposite Meaning: dissuade

haggle (verb) /ˈhæɡl/
Definition: To bargain or negotiate over the price or terms of a transaction, often in a contentious or back-and-forth manner.
Example Sentence: "If you haggle effectively, you could save a lot of money on your purchases."
Synonyms: argue; barter; bicker; chaffer; contest; deal
Opposite Meaning: agree

hortatory (adjective) /ˈhɔːtət(ə)ri/
Definition: Intending to encourage or exhort someone to do something.
Example Sentence: "The parent's hortatory words urged the child to do their best."
Synonyms: advisory; encouraging; exhortative; inciting; inspirational; motivating
Opposite Meaning: discouraging

implore (verb) /ɪmˈplɔː/
Definition: To passionately and earnestly beg or plead with someone to do something.
Example Sentence: "The children implore their teacher for more playtime."
Synonyms: appeal; beseech; crave; entreat; importune; petition
Opposite Meaning: command

inveigle (verb) /ɪnˈveɪ gəl/
Definition: To persuade or manipulate someone by flattery or deception, often to gain some advantage or benefit.
Example Sentence: "The recruiter used various tactics to inveigle the top talent to join the company."
Synonyms: allure; bait; beguile; cajole; charm; coax
Opposite Meaning: repulse

lobby (verb) /ˈlɒbi/
Definition: To seek to influence public officials, policymakers, or legislators in favor of a particular cause or interest.
Example Sentence: "The labor union is planning to lobby for better working conditions."
Synonyms: advocate; appeal; campaign; champion; persuade; petition
Opposite Meaning: neglect

mediate (verb) /ˈmiːdɪeɪt/
Definition: To intervene in a dispute or conflict in order to resolve it and bring about a peaceful resolution.
Example Sentence: "The teacher had to mediate a disagreement between two students during class."
Synonyms: arbitrate; intercede; interpose; moderate; negotiate; reconcile
Opposite Meaning: inflame

mediator (noun) /ˈmi diˌeɪ tər/
Definition: A neutral and impartial individual or party who facilitates communication, negotiation, and resolution between two or more conflicting parties.
Example Sentence: "The mediator helped the divorcing couple reach a fair settlement regarding custody of their children."
Synonyms: arbiter; conciliator; facilitator; intercessor; interlocutor; intermediary
Opposite Meaning: antagonist

negotiate (verb) /nɪˈɡəʊʃɪeɪt/
Definition: To engage in a discussion or exchange with the goal of reaching an agreement or settlement.
Example Sentence: "We need to negotiate the terms of the contract before signing it."
Synonyms: arbitrate; bargain; confer; consult; contract; deal
Opposite Meaning: refuse

negotiator (noun) /nɪˈɡəʊʃɪeɪtə/
Definition: An individual who engages in the process of negotiation on behalf of oneself or others.
Example Sentence: "The negotiator skillfully mediated between the two parties to reach a fair settlement."
Synonyms: arbitrator; broker; conciliator; dealmaker; diplomat; emissary
Opposite Meaning: antagonist

persuadable (adjective) /pəˈsweɪdəbᵊl/
Definition: Open to being influenced, convinced, or swayed by persuasive arguments, reasoning, or evidence.
Example Sentence: "The salesperson recognized the customer's persuadable nature and tailored the pitch accordingly."
Synonyms: amenable; compliant; convincible; flexible; impressionable; malleable
Opposite Meaning: stubborn

persuade (verb) /pəˈsweɪd/
Definition: To convince or influence someone to believe in or do something.
Example Sentence: "The lawyer attempted to persuade the jury of his client's innocence."
Synonyms: argue; cajole; coax; convert; enlist; entice
Opposite Meaning: dissuade

petition (noun) /pəˈtɪʃən/
Definition: A formal written request or appeal made to a person or an organization, often seeking a change or a remedy.
Example Sentence: "The employees submitted a petition to their supervisor requesting a pay raise."
Synonyms: application; claim; demand; entreaty; plea; proposal
Opposite Meaning: refuse

plea (noun) /pli/
Definition: An earnest and emotional request or appeal made by an individual to another person, authority, or entity.
Example Sentence: "The defendant made a heartfelt plea for leniency during the sentencing hearing."
Synonyms: appeal; application; cry; entreaty; imploration; invocation
Opposite Meaning: command

plead (verb) /pliːd/
Definition: To make a formal, earnest, or emotional request or appeal for something, often in a legal or formal context.
Example Sentence: "He would plead with her to give their relationship another chance."
Synonyms: beg; beseech; entreat; implore; importune; intercede
Opposite Meaning: ignore

proselytize (verb) /ˈprɒs ə lɪˌtaɪz/
Definition: To attempt to convert someone to one's own belief or opinion.
Example Sentence: "The company has been trying to proselytize their product to a wider audience."
Synonyms: convince; disseminate; evangelize; indoctrinate; influence; preach
Opposite Meaning: dissuade

solicit (verb) /səˈlɪsɪt/
Definition: To actively seek out or request something from someone, usually in a formal or intentional manner.
Example Sentence: "The salesman would solicit potential customers at the mall."
Synonyms: appeal; ask; beseech; canvass; implore; importune
Opposite Meaning: refuse

stance (noun) /stæns/
Definition: A person's or an entity's position, attitude, or viewpoint on a particular issue, topic, or matter.
Example Sentence: "The company's official stance was that they were not liable for the accident."
Synonyms: angle; approach; bearing; opinion; orientation; perspective
Opposite Meaning: indifference

tout (verb) /taʊt/
Definition: To promote or advertise something in a positive way, often with the intention of convincing people to buy or use it.
Example Sentence: "The salesman tried to tout his company's products to the potential customers."
Synonyms: advertise; endorse; extol; hail; laud; market
Opposite Meaning: denigrate

urge (verb) /ɜrdʒ/
Definition: To strongly encourage, persuade, or push someone to take a specific action or adopt a particular mindset or behavior.
Example Sentence: "The committee will urge the mayor to allocate more funds for education."
Synonyms: advocate; encourage; exhort; implore; incite; instigate
Opposite Meaning: discourage

wheedle (verb) /ˈwid l/
Definition: To use flattery, coaxing, or cunning persuasion in order to convince someone to do something.
Example Sentence: "He tried to wheedle his way out of getting a speeding ticket."
Synonyms: cajole; charm; coax; entice; influence; inveigle
Opposite Meaning: repulse